UPDATE: Bill would allow state and federal lawmakers to tote pistols in all state buildings

UPDATE: After a heated debate on the House floor, where Republicans and Democrats spoke against HB 508, the bill died. A procedural vote to take up the bill was defeated, 38-103.

Clarification: The original post stated the bill would allow the pool of officials to carry pistols anywhere. A senate staff member familiar with the bill said it would apply to all state-owned buildings, such as schools and colleges, but not to federally-owned buildings, such as a post office.

“What are we doing other than to show we can make another gun vote?” Watson asked Patrick. The committee report must still be adopted by the House before it goes to the Governor’s desk. However, members of the House have voiced opposition to Carona’s amendment.

Both Republicans and Democrats voted against the bill, including Birdwell, the author of the campus carry bill.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Although gun-friendly lawmakers were not successful at passing a law to allow college students carry pistols into classrooms this session, they may have found a way to allow themselves the “privilege.”

Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas.

A committee report distributed Saturday on House Bill 508 includes a controversial senate amendment that would provide legislators, attorneys and judges who work for a state or federal office an all-access pass to carry concealed handguns – exempting them from banned areas in the concealed carry law, such as college campuses, prisons and post offices. Dallas Republican Sen. John Carona added the amendment Monday, which drew criticism and was removed by members of the House Thursday.

Other House members argued legislators are subject to greater risk and therefore should have the protection of a concealed handgun.

The original HB 508 simply created a penalty for government entities that post signs prohibiting concealed handguns in places they are actually allowed.

The committee report added congressman to the list of officials allowed to carry anywhere. The House and Senate must still vote to approve the committee report Sunday before it goes to the governor’s desk.